Dog Pound Zulu
10-25-2013, 15:16
http://news.investors.com/management-leaders-in-success/102513-676651-special-operations-warrior-foundation-supports-families.htm
Foundation Assures College For Fallen Warriors' Kids
By Sonja Carberry, FOR INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY
Posted 02:26 PM ET
With little fanfare, the Special Operations Warrior Foundation assists families of America's elite fighters. Their discreet valor:
• Press forward. In 2005, as Dalia Munoz turned 17, her father was killed in Afghanistan by an enemy combatant. Army Sgt. 1st Class Pedro Munoz, a 47-year-old special forces soldier and Silver Star recipient, returned fire despite his wounds, killing the assailant without harming nearby women and children. A solace: Dalia, his only child with wife Gisela, would receive a college education.
Now a 2012 graduate of Davidson College, Dalia Munoz credits the support of the Special Operations Warrior Foundation (SOWF).
For 33 years it has provided scholarship grants to children of fallen special operations personnel.
"They know their families will be taken care of if anything should happen," Munoz told IBD.
Last year alone, the SOWF provided $3.9 million in educational grants and assistance, plus $1 million to families of hospitalized troops from special operations.
• Be there. Munoz, who recently joined the SOWF staff, emphasizes the soft side of the organization.
"It's not only about the financial aspect of it," she said.
As she juggled school demands and struggled through the grieving process, a staff member stayed in touch. "I could call and say: Hey, I'm having a hard time," Munoz said. The foundation reports that 98% of students receiving its grants graduate.
• Swoop in. "This is something that's very personal for us," said SOWF President Joseph Maguire, a former Navy SEAL who retired as a vice admiral.
Each time soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines in Special Operations Command die or are wounded, the SOWF reaches out to the families. "They don't have to come looking for us," Maguire said. "We connect and we stay on track."
• Stay true. Extending help is in the foundation's roots. The SOWF originated during the 1979-81 Iran hostage crisis — 444 days during which 52 Americans were held in the U.S. Embassy in Tehran.
Operation Eagle Claw, a special forces mission to rescue the hostages in April 1980, was aborted and ended with crashed aircraft in the desert. "We lost eight of our special operators. They left 17 children," said Maguire. "What we did then was just pass the hat." John Carney, who as an Air Force major performed reconnaissance for that operation, served as SOWF president until September. "He really grew this foundation," said Maguire.
• Honor their spirit. The foundation's approach is modestly proficient, like the soldiers in whose honor it serves. "We try, like them, to be quiet professionals," Maguire said. And prudent. Of every dollar it receives, 96 cents goes directly to families. "We don't do advertising. We watch the overhead religiously. Cost is cost."
Donations come from private citizens, fundraising and the Combined Federal Campaign, which lands contributions from federal employees. For eight straight years, the SOWF has earned four out of four stars from nonprofit watchdog group Charity Navigator, a particularly high honor.
• Stand by. When the recent government shutdown froze death benefits for soldiers' families, the SOWF stepped forward with $20,000 checks for four families. "Clearly there was a requirement to do something," Maguire said.
MarketSmith, an IBD sister firm, teams up with the SOWF through Veterans Day, donating and matching trial fees to the warrior foundation. As special forces head for danger zones, Maguire's team stands ready. "Unfortunately, the need continues," he said.
Foundation Assures College For Fallen Warriors' Kids
By Sonja Carberry, FOR INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY
Posted 02:26 PM ET
With little fanfare, the Special Operations Warrior Foundation assists families of America's elite fighters. Their discreet valor:
• Press forward. In 2005, as Dalia Munoz turned 17, her father was killed in Afghanistan by an enemy combatant. Army Sgt. 1st Class Pedro Munoz, a 47-year-old special forces soldier and Silver Star recipient, returned fire despite his wounds, killing the assailant without harming nearby women and children. A solace: Dalia, his only child with wife Gisela, would receive a college education.
Now a 2012 graduate of Davidson College, Dalia Munoz credits the support of the Special Operations Warrior Foundation (SOWF).
For 33 years it has provided scholarship grants to children of fallen special operations personnel.
"They know their families will be taken care of if anything should happen," Munoz told IBD.
Last year alone, the SOWF provided $3.9 million in educational grants and assistance, plus $1 million to families of hospitalized troops from special operations.
• Be there. Munoz, who recently joined the SOWF staff, emphasizes the soft side of the organization.
"It's not only about the financial aspect of it," she said.
As she juggled school demands and struggled through the grieving process, a staff member stayed in touch. "I could call and say: Hey, I'm having a hard time," Munoz said. The foundation reports that 98% of students receiving its grants graduate.
• Swoop in. "This is something that's very personal for us," said SOWF President Joseph Maguire, a former Navy SEAL who retired as a vice admiral.
Each time soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines in Special Operations Command die or are wounded, the SOWF reaches out to the families. "They don't have to come looking for us," Maguire said. "We connect and we stay on track."
• Stay true. Extending help is in the foundation's roots. The SOWF originated during the 1979-81 Iran hostage crisis — 444 days during which 52 Americans were held in the U.S. Embassy in Tehran.
Operation Eagle Claw, a special forces mission to rescue the hostages in April 1980, was aborted and ended with crashed aircraft in the desert. "We lost eight of our special operators. They left 17 children," said Maguire. "What we did then was just pass the hat." John Carney, who as an Air Force major performed reconnaissance for that operation, served as SOWF president until September. "He really grew this foundation," said Maguire.
• Honor their spirit. The foundation's approach is modestly proficient, like the soldiers in whose honor it serves. "We try, like them, to be quiet professionals," Maguire said. And prudent. Of every dollar it receives, 96 cents goes directly to families. "We don't do advertising. We watch the overhead religiously. Cost is cost."
Donations come from private citizens, fundraising and the Combined Federal Campaign, which lands contributions from federal employees. For eight straight years, the SOWF has earned four out of four stars from nonprofit watchdog group Charity Navigator, a particularly high honor.
• Stand by. When the recent government shutdown froze death benefits for soldiers' families, the SOWF stepped forward with $20,000 checks for four families. "Clearly there was a requirement to do something," Maguire said.
MarketSmith, an IBD sister firm, teams up with the SOWF through Veterans Day, donating and matching trial fees to the warrior foundation. As special forces head for danger zones, Maguire's team stands ready. "Unfortunately, the need continues," he said.